International Preachers Council of Churches (IPCC) First Secretary, Reverend Dr David Phiri has sent condolences to the President of Zimbabwe and the entire nation following the Kariba incident, saying only God can provide comfort during this difficult time.
This comes following, the Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday Aug 11.The boat was reportedly overloaded and hit heavy winds.
Read part of the letter
“Your Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa
To the grieving families
To the people of Kariba, Mashonaland West, and to the entire nation of Zimbabwe,
With a heavy heart and in deep reverence before God, I write on behalf of the International Preachers Council of Churches and millions of believers across this nation to express our most profound sorrow, our heartfelt condolences, and our unwavering solidarity with you in this hour of national pain.
We have received with shock and deep grief the news of the devastating Kariba ferry boat tragedy that has claimed the precious lives of our sons and daughters. The waters of Lake Kariba, which have for decades given us fish, tourism, transport, and life, have now become a place of mourning. The cries of the bereaved have reached the heavens, and as the Body of Christ, we stand with you in lamentation, prayer, and comfort.
Your Excellency, on behalf of IPCC, we join the rest of the nation in mourning. We mourn not just as Zimbabweans, but as one family under God. Every life lost is a life that mattered. Every name called out by grieving parents, spouses, and children is a name written on the heart of God. We cannot begin to imagine the depth of your pain, the emptiness in your homes, and the questions that flood your minds in the quiet of the night. Please know that you do not walk this valley alone. The Church is with you. The nation is with you. And above all, the Lord God, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, is with you.
The Scriptures remind us in `Revelation 21:4` that, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” And in `Psalm 34:18`, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
It is upon these promises that we anchor our hope. To the families who have lost loved ones: may the God who sees you in your sorrow hold you up when you feel you cannot stand. May He give you supernatural strength for each new day. May He surround you with community, with neighbors, with the Church, and with the arms of government that will walk with you beyond the burial, into the days, weeks, and months of healing.
To the children who have lost a parent, to the parents who have buried a child, to the husbands and wives left with an empty chair at the table — we see you. We weep with you. And we commit to pray for you by name before the Throne of Grace. No words can replace the void left behind, but we pray that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus `Philippians 4:7`.
Your Excellency Dr Mnangagwa, as the father of the nation, we commend your leadership in this difficult moment. In times of tragedy, a nation looks to its leadership for direction, for compassion, and for hope. Your Excellence we are so grateful to you and the Government of Republic of Zimbabwe for declaring a National Disaster and gave a befitting burial to the deceased persons. We pray that God grants you wisdom as you coordinate rescue efforts, support to the injured. We pray for divine wisdom upon the relevant ministries, emergency services, and Lake Kariba authorities as investigations continue and as measures are put in place to ensure that such a tragedy never repeats itself. May this moment also call us as a nation to greater vigilance, accountability, and care for human life on our waters and roads.
As IPCC, we are mobilizing our pastors, bishops, and intercessors across all provinces to set aside days of prayer and fasting for the nation, for the families, and for Kariba. We are opening our church doors for counseling, for prayer, and for any form of support that families may require. Grief is not a journey one should walk alone, and the Church exists to be the hands and feet of Jesus in times like these.
We also pray for the survivors. For those pulled from the waters, for those nursing injuries, for those battling trauma — may the Lord be your healer. `Jeremiah 30:17` declares, _“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.”_ We pray for medical teams, for counselors, and for all first responders who have worked tirelessly. God sees your labor and will reward you.
To the community of Kariba: you are not forgotten. This tragedy touches the soul of the whole nation. From the mountains of Manicaland to the plains of Matabeleland, from Harare to Bulawayo, we are one people, one nation, one family. And in this moment, we choose unity over division, prayer over despair, and hope over fear.
In seasons like this, we are reminded of the brevity of life `James 4:14` and the eternal hope we have in Christ. For those who have gone ahead of us, we entrust them into the merciful hands of God. The Lord who gave life is the Lord who calls it back. And for those who believe, death is not the end, but a doorway into the presence of the King. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” `Psalm 116:15`.
May the Lord comfort you, Your Excellency, as you carry the weight of leadership. May He give you words to speak to a grieving nation. May He give you strength to make decisions that bring justice, safety, and healing. We pledge our prayers and our support to your office and to the government during this period.
As we lay our loved ones to rest, let us also make a covenant as a nation: that we will honor their memory by building safer systems, by valuing every life, and by leaning on God who alone is our refuge and strength, “an ever-present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1`.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”_ `Matthew 5:4`. May that comfort find every home today.
With tears, with prayers, and with unshakable faith,
We remain,
Rev Dr David Phiri
IPCC President”
